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Thursday, 23 February 2012

Armed with more unsettling knowledge about Gavin Devereaux and her circle of friends, Camille Hart is faced with new adversities and lethal propositions when she returns to the Amaranth exile to carry out Gavin’s risky crusade.

Realizing her journey through the bayou was only the beginning of her struggle to stay with Gavin, she finds that leaving her Louisiana home is the least of her worries. New evils await her on the other side, and as she and her friends press on with their mission, they are confronted with the reality that everything doesn't always go according to plan

As secrets unfold and alliances are formed and broken, only the strongest will survive and the power of love will be tested when a war between witches, humans, and vampires erupts into an all-out power struggle and all is on the verge of being lost.

This book is truly AMAZING, everything i hope for in a book. Moira Young is giving Suzanna Collins a run for her money! The world that Saba lives in is cruel and gruesome but so believable, I loved the dialect it makes for and easy read. The action is there from beginning to end you will never know what will happen next! Saba is a heroine that i would love to read about in every book, and most definatley cant wait till the sequel comes out becuase this book was a wonderful thrill ride! 5 stars all the way

Diana's reviewFebruary 9, 2012
I'm a bit confused on how to review this book. I really felt like I was reading 2 different books. I can tell you exactly where I felt the book shifted into a completely different book, so this might have been completely intentional on the author's part (though I don't want to give you any spoilers so read the book and then we can discuss your thoughts ;-)).

The first thing that caught my attention when reading this book was the writing style. It's written like you're reading Juliette's diary. The words were flowy and descriptive. It was very poetic and beautiful, but the poetry of the writing left me disconnected from the story and the characters. Juliette and Adam are great and all, but I wasn't connected enough to them to be emotionally invested in their well being.

The one character that I did love, though, was Warner. He was written beautifully. The man is Psychotic with a capital P. In a sick and twisted way I could understand where he was coming from. He was definitely my favorite character.

The beginning of the book I thought was a little slow. Once the shift happened though, it really picked up. I found the second half hard to put down. And the ending took a turn I did not at all expect. I liked the ending, but I didn't think it fit smoothly with the rest of the story. Like I said, it read like 2 different books. But once the pace picked up in the second half, I become more drawn to the main characters and started to fall for them. I will definitely be picking up the next book.

This was an amazing book. I have always been very interested in the story and life of Joan of Arc, and I greedily gobble up any bit of information I can read on her. Ever since the first time my grandma showed me the painting of Joan by Jules Bastien-Lepage, I have been entranced by this amazing person. This book was full of interesting information about Joan, and I especially enjoyed that Joan's own 15th century trial testimony was used. In the synopsis I read that the author has a decade of research under her belt in preparing for and writing this book, and this fact definitely comes through in the reading. Magnificently written, and the full color photos were an added bonus...very beautiful. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a deep interest in Saint Joan, anyone who has no idea what Joan's story is, and would like to learn more about her, and everyone in between. Thank you for a wonderful book!

Orphaned as a young child, Linda McLane lives a life of servitude and physical abuse with her guardians, a bitter and dangerous aunt and uncle. Alarmed by Linda’s plight, a kindly reverend notifies her other aunt, prominent Hollywood actress Vera Sinclair, who promptly whisks Linda away from her dreary English village and off to sunny Los Angeles. On the ocean voyage, Linda begins a transformation from gawky village lass to beautiful sophisticate, a transformation so complete that she finds immediate success as her aunt’s secretary, working toward the older woman’s spectacular comeback. A story of depth and complexity, it tackles such issues as racism, socioeconomic inequality and sexual abuse and the various plotlines move forward quickly. There are plenty of period-appropriate cultural references (e.g., It Happened One Night, King Kong, The Scarlet Empress) and frothy descriptions of parties and socializing. These elements counterbalance the serious themes. This is a book for adults. There are erotic scenes with explicit detail. Foreshadowing ensures that the plot twists at the conclusion are plausible but still unexpected and shocking.

"A transcontinental Cinderella story set in the Great Depression. A book worth reading from an author definitely worth watching." - Kirkus review

Saturday, 18 February 2012

Survival, book 1 of the Guardians of Vesturon, a YA paranormal romance

"Maybe I was caught between the two worlds. I was having serious trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality."

While on a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, nineteen-year-old Maddie Pearce finds her world has been thrown into a vortex and is madly spinning toward the impossible. Abducted by a mad psychopath, Maddie narrowly escapes with her life. But that is only the beginning. Her mysterious rescuer introduces her to a world that Maddie has difficulty accepting as reality. Will this strikingly gorgeous stranger be the key to her future or will she return to her mundane world, scarred from her experience? Follow Maddie as she is forced to make difficult decisions that carry her to mysterious places.

Excerpt…

Then, unexpectedly, three brightly glowing melon-sized balls of light came soaring across the dark sky. When they were a few feet away from me, they elongated into long thin slivers. Moments later, the slivers expanded and then took form into three indistinct shapes.

I kept blinking my eyes, not trusting what I was seeing. I was positive I was hallucinating. This must be what happens right before you die.

Then, the indistinct shapes morphed into three men—three very tall, powerfully built men. They were identical in that they were all dressed alike—wearing black hooded cloaks that fell to their ankles. The hoods hid their faces, but I had the strangest feeling they were there to help me.

_______________

Resurrection, book 2 of the Guardians of Vesturon

"Maddie knew she was dying. Her life started to flash before her. She had visions of running down the soccer field, scoring a goal, eating her mother’s yummy, homemade, sticky cinnamon rolls, standing in her foyer listening to the police tell her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident. Each vision was disturbingly clear—as if it was happening again."

Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love?
In Resurrection (Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?

Generally speaking, when reading any type of fantasy/paranormal story, my least favorite genre is faeries. I don't know whether I find them boring or if the authors haven't done a good job of convincing me that this life would be great, but I typically tend to avoid them. So signing up to read this was a big deal for me. And I'd like to thank Christie Rich for changing my views of the Fae.

In the beginning of the story, Rayla seemed like a brat. She was slightly selfish and mildly whiny and annoying. Not that I was a huge fan of Aunt Grace. She seemed like a sister of one of the witches from Oz. Thankfully, the book picked up once Rayla and Cassie left Moab. There was always something strange about Cassie and her family, I just didn't know what at the time. Once at school, things got truly interesting. Once finding out she was an Elemental, Rayla began being courted by a group of attractive men who were really faeries. I, of course, was drawn to the one not in the group.... Zach. The perfect combination of tall, dark, handsome, sexy, and protective; he was REAL. He seemed to want her as well as protect her from being bonded to one of the fae lords. Things seemed to good to be true.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I felt there were holes in the story. Some things weren't explained or made clear. How did Rayla's mom die? And really, what guy that you just meet believes you're being stalked by mythical creatures? Also, the issues with her contacting her aunt. I understand they were blocking the information she held, but what makes Utah so special? Something else that bothered me was the love triangle. Obviously there had to be issues that don't allow Rayla to bond with Zach to keep things interesting but WHO is Jett really? Is Alithea her mother? And what changed her feelings toward Luke? I didn't see his appeal at all. Even when he opened up during their journey. Team Zach!!

Overall, I really liked "Five". I'm slightly frustrated with the cliffhanger ending. Rayla is bound to get in trouble by doing something stupid (i.e. leaving Finn and Cassie in search of home). I guess I want to know if she will be bonded or not, and if so, with whom. I have a feeling there is a war brewing and only once this ends will we see the true decision Rayla has to make. I also am curious if her mother's motives were to protect her or if it is something else entirely. This is a great start to a series. Definitely looking forward to the next!

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

I fell in love with this story right away. The author's writing is so expressive, it wasn't hard to fall into her world and get wrapped up in the mystery and suspense surrounding Chela. The secondary characters were pretty well flushed out also I'd like to say there were two main characters to this book Chela and Farris, but her two friends (she calls them the Bermuda Three)and some of the other characters were just as involved. This book starts out with Chela breaking one rule after another she seems to be pushed to act out by what's happening with her twin brother. The rule breaking lands her in a sort of reform camp called Minders Camp this sounds like a horrible situation for her to be in but it also teaches her so many things.
I don't want to give away the story so I will just say this is a unique approach to the genre the author has blended a apocalyptic society with the fallen, Chela's world just gets totally turned inside out with the events that take place. It's a wonderfully written YA novel and I would recommend even if you don't like YA that you read this.

"But a person’s spirit sometimes existed long after their physical body was gone. It could haunt your thoughts, sway your decisions, and follow you like a shadow, even if they were invisible."

KaSonndra Leigh. When Copper Suns Fall (Kindle Locations 5349-5350).

This was a free book given by the author through shut up and read discussion group.
Thanks for the free read!

Rayla Tate was just a child when her mother disappeared from her life forever. Raised by her aunt Grace in a small town, she has lived a relatively uneventful but extremely sheltered life. She doesn’t know it yet, but she is special. She has been hidden from the fae who have lived secretly among us since the beginning of time. Descended from an ancient blood-line of Elementals, only she has the power to crown the first fae high-king.

Sick of provincial living and the dictates of her aunt, Rayla flees the safety of her home and runs away to college with her best friend. However, excitement over her newfound freedom is short-lived when she finds herself being chased by a mysterious stranger on her way to school. She is drawn to him immediately but resists the compulsion she feels. He disappears into the night, but she is certain he is following her.

Rayla struggles to deal with the encounter while she adapts to her new environment. To make matters worse, Aunt Grace reveals that Rayla will soon be hunted by a pack of fae lords, each hoping to claim her power for his own. She soon finds herself surrounded by stunning men. Are they fae, or is this just normal college life? More importantly, who can she trust when she can’t trust herself to be near them?

Sunday, 12 February 2012

Olyvia is a young woman living in a near-future Chicago which is ravished by cancer, the newest form of plauge that is sweeping the world. Her mother runs a Hospice from their own family home where the sick come to die. Each day Olyvia is forced to witness the auras' of the sick wither and fade away. Wanting to find an escape she agrees to meet her virtual friend Mikah in person for the first time. But Mikah isn't as normal as he seems. Bound to a world of the supernatural, Mikah is stuck in a life that he dosen't want. As soon as Mikah and Olyvia meet, their worldscollide and it could just mean the end not for them but for something much, much bigger.

This book was action-packed, edge-of-your-seat kind of read. From the very beginning of this book I was kind of in awe of each thing: the descriptions were beautiful, the story-line was fresh and imaginative, also there was so many unexpected plot twists and turns that I was kept on my feet the entire time.

Really, the only thing that I could pick on about this book was that around the middle things dragged a bit. I think that this had something to do with there being a whole lot of explanation and not enough action.

Overall, I have to say that Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark blended both their writing beautifully and are both masters at plot twists and turns. They created ass-kicking characters. I found this book to be quite a rare find and I am so glad that I took the time to read this.

I started the prologue of this first installment to Marina's Tales and just after it I realized that I was mistaken to have started the book so late at night. I simply could not convince myself to do the reading in a better time the next day. So even if there were quite too many distractions for me to read all that easily, I managed to hit the pages stubbornly and resolved to adore just another tale that is worth telling.

I found myself grinning as I got to every chapter. The book is written in a such a way that the reader would want to engage more in Marina's thoughts and expectations. Much of the plot was as surprising to me as it seemed to Marina and the thrill of it all pulled me more into the story.

There are really few characters but I can say that the author established the role of each very well. Marina's circle was so appealing to me that I kind of envied the life she had. I must say that if Marina's narration affected me this much, then most of the young adults would definitely get to relate to her world perfectly well.

I only fretted a little about the mermaid adventure parts. They were not as exciting as it thrilled me from the start so I could tell that it was just the beginning of a series. I didn't know it was a series when I started reading it. But now, I will surely read the rest of the books in the series. I also enjoyed how the evolution of romance between the characters unfolded although I expected a bit more intensity towards the end.

The title of the book, Between the Land and the Sea, summarizes the story. There were even proportions of reality and fantasy, and land and sea parts that gave all the gist to Marina's tales.

This book is not only a lovely and fresh depiction of the classic mermaid myths but a great account of building relationships (among families and friends) as well. I recommend this book to the readers who have been long lost behind YA fantasies since Twilight. As it had been for me, this is one awesome book to restart the passion for fantasy with.

This is the first novel of the Sensate Trilogy. It is definitely an original story; I don’t remember ever reading anything that comes close to this particular ongoing story line. Very intriguing. A mixture of contemporary, Paranormal, Magical Fantasy, and much more, I’d be hard-pressed to assign just one label-so I won’t. I’ll just recommend it and let the reader decide to what subgenres to assign it.

At age twenty-two, Alexandra is a continuing student, soon to begin work on her Master’s Degree. After the deaths of her parents, she developed a sudden need to research her family’s genealogy, and is currently urgently tracking her father’s great-grandfather, Teater Higgins, a younger son who fathered two children in West Virginia and then disappeared. Trying to track him to an old, abandoned Higgins farm in Pennsylvania, Alexandra first falls into a cistern, then is spookily enabled to climb out after she finds a mysterious stone in an enclosure in the well. Later her lifelong disinterest in anything male is reversed when she accidentally makes eye contact with a stranger-but she has no way of realizing that this is quite literally a matter of destiny-hers and his-and that there is a vast universe of meaning and events yet to occur. The most seemingly impossible events and themes will come to play throughout this novel, and the two sequels to come.

This is an intensively detailed, extraordinarily imaginative, novel. I can’t imagine not reading the next two in the Trilogy as soon as they appear.

I love this book has a bit of everything, action, vampires, suspense, unexpected things, secrets, life lessons, romance, a heroine with a good personality-beautiful-kick-ass girl, a charming gentleman hero-sexy-hot-presumptuous-rough!!!

The writer was showcased with the plot, I really liked quite interesting. She combine some of the Apocalypse (the red moon, end of the world for humans),the emergence of a kind of-resident-evil-virus-kick-ass-hunter-girl (I did not like the plot of that movie) but I love that she was able to combine this things. Have much influence from other vampire stories,has a touch of classic and modern vampire-stuff.

Sloane is a very strong girl, haunted by guilt. ORION was her brother and ROOK, orion's best friend were turned on Halloween night when they were visiting a house "haunted" because Sloane insisted to go there. After that pratically is left alone, since her father died of cancer, she stays with her mother who is the soveringe of Pittsburgh, she is a cold, only cares about appearances, their political status ... and mother-daughter relationship is not good.

After the Eclipse, the night of Halloween when the world distorted, the government created a new way of operating-save-from-vampires and created the white sector (only living humans). Sloane haunted by her guilt decided move in search of her brother (she has the hope he is still alive) and goes to the red sector (inhabited by vampires),when she return to her old home, she meet Aden, after a long fight with him, who discovers she has the "mark of the creator" he turns her into vampire ... and so the story unfolds ... she moves to a base secret where he attended training at the "academy" and get used to life as a vampire, is making friends and learn to appreciate them. All this while she was there,she live in Aden's house with his mom, she learn to see them as her family....she became falling in love with Aden as he is too.

This book is a success ... I'm anxious to read DARK HORIZONS and see what happen next!!!!!

The Raie'Chaelia is the first book in The Legend of the Raie'Chaelia trilogy, this series is y/a fantasy which is filled with adventure and of course romance.

Chalice who has been raised by her grandparents and trained to fight, knows nothing of her life before her parents died. Her grandfather tells her one night she must leave and go find a man named Nathaniel Maehbeck she is to follow his instructions and Nathaniel will give her something. Chalice heads out on her long journey and along the way meets many different people along the way and finds out many interesting facts about herself and her family.

She meets up with a creature named Bunejab who is quite funny, and we are also introduced to Jeremiah who is a sweet guy and knows duty comes first you like him right away.

I think one of the best parts of this story is the magical/mystical portions of the story the author has a great imagination and describes everything in detail it’s like you can see it yourself.

Raie'Chaelia is full of adventure, romance, twists and is a definite read for anyone who loves Y/A fantasy novels.

Well, not really sure what to say on this one. :) This book was pretty awesome! I received this book from Shut Up & Read.

I had a little bit of trouble getting into the story at the beginning. I'm not sure if it was just my frame of mind when starting to read or what, but as I continued to read I was drawn in on this new adventure.

Alexa is still her spit-fire self. Unafraid of the consequences of her actions, not caring what people think of her and unsure of what to do in her love life. (I know who I would pick...just sayin') She finds herself on an unexpected mission to save someone whom everyone thought was dead. During this time, she struggles with the choices that she was forced to make (or was she?) and whether or not she is evil or just doing what was necessary to carry out her mission. Also, along the way, she finds herself drawn romantically to Kayden (my choice in the triangle by the way) and unable to deny her need for him. I wonder where this love will lead in the next book?!?

Nelly, Alexa's sister, is left back at Two Rivers. She begins to catch on that things are not quite what they seem. She learns secrets, finds new enemies and realizes that her powers are becoming much more than what she thought was possible. She begins to take confidence in herself and her ability to protect the important people in her life, including herself.

Jackson...well, that wolf-boy just plain gets on my nerves. Grrrrr! I was not shocked at the twist concerning him. In fact, I thought it made sense. :)

Kayden, that yummy goodness! Whew...is it hot in here?!? I think Alexa should pick him!! I liked that one of the chapters was from his perspective, and that we got to see a little snippet of his feelings for Alexa.

Oh, the twist at the end blindsided me! Did NOT see that one coming. I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you to H.D. Gordon and Shut Up & Read for the opportunity to read this fantastic book! Y'all made my week!!

Friday, 10 February 2012

A Nonfiction biography that coincides with the 600th anniversary of Joan of Arc's birth, "Joan of Arc: The Mystic Legacy" contains 37 full color images from historic sites in France where Joan's story unfolded. The author's full decade of research and three field trips to France allow this biography to flow more like a novel, as the historic time-line reveals fresh details that are supported by hard evidence.

Relying upon Joan's own recorded testimony from her 15th century trial as the primary resource for understanding the hero's motivations, spiritual beliefs and actions, this biography is the first to trace the identities of Joan's visions and voices into the roots of Judeo-Christian antiquity, Joan's veracity is viewed through the lens of cross-cultural mysticism.

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected.

Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories?

With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.

In this haunting debut, KaSonndra Leigh offers an escape into an intriguing new world filled with celestial creatures, fascinating villainy, high-stake choices, and a secret romance, When Copper Suns Fall, is a fresh and original urban fantasy—with a dystopian twist—that will take readers on an unforgettable adventure.

Monday, 6 February 2012

After the devastating loss of her parents in a freak accident, Alexandra obsesses over the mystery surrounding Teater Higgins, her great-great-grandfather. She searches a deserted farm for Teater’s gravestone, but fate intervenes and she plunges into a deep cistern. Trapped, cold, and alone, she finds a warm stone that facilitates her escape and prompts dormant psychic abilities to emerge. Unable to grasp the full implications of this new transformation, mysterious Jediah Saffle draws her into a shimmering orb, exposes her to near-sensory overload, and, without speaking, tells her she is a Sensate.

The orb experience leaves Alexandra with more questions than answers, and as she considers her fate, an ancient Prophecy, which predicts a dark future for the Sensates, comes to light. Beginning a psychic journey set in motion by her ancestor, she delves into her five senses and garners knowledge from centuries of heritage to become the most powerful Sensate in over two thousand years.

As her world shifts into one where many miraculous things are possible and moral boundaries are put to the test, three men impact the destiny of her birthright. Jediah waits two hundred-thirty years to claim her; another plans for nearly half a millennia to exact his revenge; and a third captures her to bend her will to his own.

LARKSPUR, the first book of the Sensate Trilogy is a full-length novel, which chronicles Alexandra’s introduction into the benevolent world of Sensates and the beginning of the nine-moon saga.

Saturday, 4 February 2012

The strength of Sloane’s heart is about to be put to the ultimate test.

After the Eclipse – the night vampires began openly slaughtering human victims – everything changed. Out of fear, the government salvaged what remained of the human population and enclosed them in massive, security-laden cities called White Sectors, while marking the vampire infested territory as Red Sectors.

When seventeen-year-old Sloane McAllister’s twin brother disappears, she seems to be the only one who thinks he isn’t dead, and vows to stop at nothing to find him. Gathering her courage, she braves the Red Sector to search for clues to his whereabouts. By chance, she encounters Aden, a handsome, charismatic vampire with a hidden agenda. He turns Sloane against her will, and whisks her away to his underground city. Enemies quickly become friends as Sloane struggles against her attraction to Aden, and resists her growing loyalties to the creatures that ruined her life. But the vampires themselves are the least of her problems. The city is harboring a devastating secret, one that could change the tide of the war and threaten to destroy everything Sloane has come to believe in.

When Chalice sets off for Branbury in the middle of the night with her grandfather's instructions, she has no idea of the dangers that await her. The King's men have destroyed her home village of Canton and she is suddenly thrown into a Terravailian world that she does not know. Lost and alone, she is hard pressed to evade the iron grasp of the madman who rules the land. With the help of a friendly Chinuk, an old man, and a book that she discovers along the way, not only does she find true friends and true love, but she also finds her true self and what it means to be the Raie'Chaelia

Dust Lands #1

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

I love love love this story! My only complaint is that the book does not stand well on its own. It is simply the first part to a much longer tale. You will not be able to read this book and not buy the next ones, because it stops right in the middle of the story. What happened to the days you could buy a great big novel and the whole story was there, no matter how many pages it took??

Anyway, lets get back to the book. I think the writing is brilliant! The story is unique (at least for me)and very interesting. The characters are wonderful, the descriptions are amazing! I was caught up from the beginning. I have no idea where this story is going to go or what might happen and I love that in a book. I love the creatures, wizards, kings and peasants. The history and beliefs of these ancient people have me completely captivated.

I will read every story Stephen Goldin writes, no matter how many books are in the series. I think he is that good! Another favorite Stephen in my Authors list!

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Something extraordinary is lurking in the deep waters off the coast of Aptos, California. A few weeks after moving to the charming beach town, sixteen year-old Marina has nearly drowned twice, enchanted the hottest guy in high school, and discovered a supernatural creature. If she can only manage to survive increasingly dangerous encounters with unpredictable mermaids, she might be able to unlock the mystery of her past and learn how to appease the mysterious forces that seem to want something from her... And maybe even find true love along the way.

The Alexa Montgomery Saga #2

In the past few weeks Alexa Montgomery has had her entire world flipped upside down. She's gone from living a semi-normal teenage life to a life full of vampires and werewolves who all expect her to deliver them from the control of an evil dictator. Alexa is the last of her kind; a Sun Warrior, and now she has left the safety of Two Rivers to search for her mother, but she's left her sister behind to do so, and Nelly is the one person that she was told that she must always protect. Kayden, a vampire who is Alexa's other half, has followed her on her journey. But, secrets are about to come out, relationships will break and danger lies just up ahead. Will Alexa be able to get through all of this and make it out alive? And, will she be able to protect Nelly from danger when she is so far away?

Oh my goodness. The imagery on the first page alone made me want to drop everything I was doing (homework, laundry, dishes, homework, sleep, homework) just to read this immediately! It is a beginning unlike any I have read, and I was immediately drawn in. “A time when magic existed and myths, legends and the gods roamed the planets and walked freely among us.” Oh sigh. To be in those times.

After discovering the mighty characters, you meet the little girl who is the focus of the story. She has just lost her father, but she has gained some friends in the mean times, some who have ulterior motives. So far, they are good motives, but there is something sinister going on that involves this grief stricken little girl.

The story is incredible, and not like anything I have ever read before. I was drawn in with the author’s imagery, and kept drawn in by her writing. Another author stated that her writing made theirs look amateur. Well, it makes mine look down right kindergartenish! The flow was incredible, passing through time so easily and quickly, but I was never confused as to where in time I was.

I did not, however, read the preview to the next segment in this series. Why? I hate doing that!! Lol IT just makes me want the next book even more!! So I left it – though I will probably sneak a peek very soon. As I have stated before, I do not like to give 5 stars, but this is definitely a 4.999999. I really enjoyed it. It took me to another world, another place, another time. And that is what I really look for in a good book!